1
as in terrifying
causing fear
the fearful roar of a lion
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2
as in timid
easily frightened
the stray cat that we took in is still fearful, even around us
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3
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
the fearful wind and cold simply made being outside a miserable experience
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4
as in afraid
filled with fear or dread
fearful of venturing out onto the dark highway, the stranded motorist decided to wait in the car for help
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fearful
This can create reactive and more fearful adult dogs.
—
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Capitalize on fear to build wealth On Monday, investors were fearful that the current administration could undermine the Federal Reserve, which is charged with keeping inflation in check and preventing the economy from sliding into recession.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2025
The American planetary science community is also fearful that if DAVINCI is axed, there may be a domino effect in Congress that would endanger funding for VERITAS, a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Venus mapping mission due for launch in 2031.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Van Hollen added that Abrego Garcia was held in a cell with 25 other people and fearful of other prisoners who taunted him.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fearful
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Capitalize on fear to build wealth On Monday, investors were fearful that the current administration could undermine the Federal Reserve, which is charged with keeping inflation in check and preventing the economy from sliding into recession.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2025
The American planetary science community is also fearful that if DAVINCI is axed, there may be a domino effect in Congress that would endanger funding for VERITAS, a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Venus mapping mission due for launch in 2031.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Van Hollen added that Abrego Garcia was held in a cell with 25 other people and fearful of other prisoners who taunted him.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fearful
Adjective
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To cut yourself off from people is to lose your connection and way in a glorious, terrifying world.—
Mary Frances Ruskell,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
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Audio and video deepfakes created with generative AI tools add a new, terrifying wrinkle to scam spotting.—
Kim Key,
PC Magazine,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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In general at the N4G summit, and in particular at a side event at the Brazilian embassy themed around food systems and climate change, discussions of climate change were timid about mentioning industrial livestock’s role in land-use change.—
Christine Ro,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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Wu was seen as timid at the beginning of the migrant crisis, staying in the background while Healey seized a Roxbury community rec center as a migrant shelter.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In the game, the station is in the bright sunlight, and the subway tunnel experience takes a lot longer, and isn’t quite as intense.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
5 May 2025
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And, George, Elon Musk told reporters this week it's been a very intense 100 days.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2025
Adjective
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Hairston impressed at the combine in Indianapolis by running a 4.28 40-yard dash and has the speed to keep everything in front while not being afraid to get physical.—
Bryce Lazenby,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
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Don’t be afraid of just pausing for a second — this could be a great time for more dirty talk or caressing — particularly once the whole hand is inside.—
Quispe López,
Them.,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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These frightening and repulsive actions represent the most significant breach on our Capitol in over two hundred years.—
Sonam Sheth
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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Mellencamp's frightening diagnosis, though, hasn't stopped her resolve.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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So their arrival in the world of the New Avengers may be a harbinger of scary things to come.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
2 May 2025
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With stealth mechanics now in the mix, Metroid Dread doubled down on the scarier bits of Metroid Fusion to create gameplay sections where deadly EMMI robots have to be avoided, at least until Samus regains her strength (big shock).—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Historically, Google has had a less intensive quality control processes than Apple which has meant more low-end apps make it through to the storefront.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
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For now, these lands could be converted to intensive residential, commercial or industrial development.—
Reed Frederick Noss,
The Conversation,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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These failures in public safety have led to stories from frightened educators, anxious students, and unsafe conditions for our city’s public school communities.—
Savanah Jackson,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2025
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Were there any moments on set where people were seriously quite frightened?—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fearful. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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